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Published on:25th May 2015
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 2015; 49(4):240-247
Pharmaceutical Education | doi:10.5530/ijper.49.4.1

Chemistry Content in the Pharmacy Curriculum: Relevance to Develop Pharmacists Fit-to-work in Diverse Pharmacy Profession Sectors


Authors and affiliation (s):

Chun Wai Mai1*, Ramadas Anitha2, John Jeh Lung Tiong3, Pei Kuan Lai4, Mallikarjuna Rao Pichika1 and Alexander Irvine Gray5

1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2Department of Pharmacy, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Jalan Pahang, 50586, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

3School of Pharmacy, Taylor’s University, No. 1 Jalan Taylor’s, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

4Institute for Research, Development and Innovation. International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

5Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Abstract:

Background: The high employability of pharmacy graduates across various sectors such as in the community pharmacies and hospital settings, the pharmaceutical industries and academia has lent credence to the versatility of their professional training. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gauge the perception of International Medical University (IMU) pharmacy graduates on the applicability and relevance of the chemistry knowledge and practical skills acquired from their professional education in their working place. Methods: The survey was designed based on the pharmacy curriculum of IMU. Qualitative and quantitative responses were collected and analysed by three independent investigators who were not the respondents, and not lecturing in any part of the Chemistry curriculum. The study was completed when the qualitative feedback from respondents reached saturation. Results: Almost equal numbers of pharmacists from the different pharmacy disciplines: (1) industrial and regulatory, (2) hospital and clinical, (3) community and (4) academia, participated in this study. Most of the chemistry topics were rated as essential by the graduates. Some topics were rated very relevant (more than 80%) whereas only up to 30% of the graduates agreed on the essentiality of some topics to their profession. Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the current chemistry content is still essential in nurturing competent pharmacists for their respective disciplines. The outcomes of this study will be used as evidence to support the need for conducting a curriculum review, to better prepare graduates for their future employment.

Key words: Chemistry, Competency, Fit-to-work, Graduates, Pharmacy Curriculum, Pharmacy Profession.

 




 

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The Official Journal of Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI)
(Registered under Registration of Societies Act XXI of 1860 No. 122 of 1966-1967, Lucknow)

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (IJPER) [ISSN-0019-5464] is the official journal of Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) and is being published since 1967.

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